Neuroscience & the Soul: Topic Index

In these topics we will examine the history of conceptions
of the human makeup as they arose in ancient philosophy and religion
-- primarily in Christianity, but also with a few notes about
Jewish developments. We also examine new issues that arose in
the modern period, especially as a result of scientific and philosophical
developments. Whereas body-soul dualism had become the majority
view by the end of the middle ages, in the modern period there
has been growing interest in physicalist accounts. Currently,
localization studies by contemporary neuroscientists--that is,
finding specific regions or distributed systems in the brain associated
with particular cognitive and emotional functions--provide some
of the most compelling evidence that it is the brain, rather than
a mind or soul, that is responsible for these capacities. In other
words, the current trend in neuroscience is pointing us towards
a reductive physicalist account of the human.

In addition, we will consider whether a nonreductive physicalist
account of the person is in conflict with essential Christian
(and Jewish) teachings. To this end, we will examine recent developments
in biblical studies and consider some of the implications of a
physicalist account of the person for theology.

Other sections will investigate the philosophical question
of reductionism. If mental events are essentially products of
the brain, and if we assume that brain events are determined by
natural laws, then how can we maintain views of human freedom
and responsibility? This is still an open question, but it will
be valuable to consider some of the resources available for addressing
the problem.

Finally, we will consider some of the practical implications
of the intellectual changes we have surveyed.